Researchers have developed analogs of cannabinol (CBN), a lesser-known cannabinoid, that show neuroprotective abilities in lab studies not unlike the effects from the active chemicals in the cannabis plant, which are a benefit in Parkinson’s as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. “Not only does CBN have neuroprotective…

A specific protein associated with sex hormone production may shed light on the sex-related differences in Parkinson’s disease observed between men and women, according to a recent study. Levels of this protein, called retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA), are higher in the blood of men with the…

People with Parkinson’s disease who smoke cigarettes are less likely to die of neurological problems than non-smokers, a new study shows — though Parkinson’s smokers were found to have a higher risk of death due to related smoking-related complications such as lung cancer. The findings support the idea that…

A small molecule that can protect the function of mitochondria — known as the powerhouses of cells — and prevent cell death can also prevent brain damage in a rodent stroke model, highlighting its potential as a possible therapeutic candidate for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, a study…

Alpha-arbutin — an antioxidant found in plants such as blueberry bush — may restore mitochondrial function in nerve cells and ease the motor disabilities associated with Parkinson’s disease, according to a preclinical study from China. Its results point to alpha-arbutin as a potential therapeutic compound for Parkinson’s and other…

A multidisciplinary research team at Purdue University in Indiana and the University of Bordeaux in France was awarded a $107,000 grant by the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to study the neuroprotective ability of a newly discovered gene associated with Parkinson’s disease. The gene was discovered by Jean-Christophe Rochet, PhD, a…